Krejci/By S. Bradley
TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Lightning nearly knocked out one of the Bruins’ top centers tonight on the night the another Boston prime pivot made his comeback.
David Krejci celebrated the return of Patrice Bergeron by scoring the only goal the Bruins needed in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final in the first period at the St. Pete Times Forum. Later in the first period, he got his bell rung by a high hit from Lightning defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron.
“I’m fine. I don’t think I have to look at it,” said Krejci after the 2-0 win that gave the Bruins a 2-1 series lead. “I’m sure I’m going to see it. The guys told me that the guy just came off the bench. I didn’t even see him.
“They gave me a little heads up, so I got a little ready for it. If they didn’t give me a heads up on the bench, then I would get hit and in a relaxed body and it’d be maybe way worse. But I feel fine, so …”
Krejci missed the ensuing power play and the rest of the first period. But he stayed on the bench instead of retreating to the dressing room.
He returned for the second and looked none the worse for wear.
His goal just 1:09 into the game, his seventh of playoffs, got Boston out front for the first time in the series. That the Bruins won the game was the best news. A close second was that Krejci and Patrice Bergeron both emerged from the performance with their health.
I agree.
I think it was a bad call-although I understand why-it looked bad. I am just glad Krejci wasn’t injured.
The refs made up for it though and didn’t call Roloson for playing the puck outside the trapezoid.
hockey play, just like big Z……….Krejci should have had his head up. Bull shite call, we would have been calling for the refs head if Boychuck hit St. Louis like that and got 2 minutes
Krejci and Bergeron, thats a tough one-two punch to beat at center
to a man, guy boucher’s hissy fit was embarrassing. the ref saw bergeron’s arm flying up and called 2 minutes for elbowing. had it been up in montreal, bergeron would have been thrown out of the game.
I thought it was borderline at best. Bergeron isn’t 6’5. That wasn’t a dirty hit. Players have to be aware. I think he came off the bench but it was a good solid hit. The best thing was Krejci didn’t stay down and returned. His toughness is evident. He’s a playmaker that is going to watch the puck sometimes. How about that goal? A little how do you do and here’s a backhander. Lucic, Bergeron, Kabby played well. Hell the whole team made intelligent decisions all night. Oh yeah. Claude’s plan and in game decisions were masterful. Way to go coach. I didn’t forget you.
2. …tries to dodge…sorry
1. The guy plans to hit,
2. The other guy tires to dodge the hit by lowering his head,
3. Intentional hit to the head is out of the question on that play. That’s a hockey play, period.
I think it w3as a bad call he should have gotten five and a game it was a hit to the head of a unsuspecting player like always the refs find a way to screw it up again
that hits principal point of contact was the head. Not only that, but the ONLY point of contact was the head. That’s illegal.
i don’t care if its a shoulder hit or elbow its still to the head and i think all head shots have to be taken out of the game
Glad he is okay. The guy really needs to learn to keep his head up though-he is prone to head down skating.
The hit looked like it was a shoulder hit-and the follow through made it look like an elbow. Not really a great call in hindsight, but one I see the refs calling.